Privacy and Security Policy

This privacy and security policy discloses the information gathering and dissemination practices for CommonGood.org (the “Site”). The Site is owned by Common Good. As used in this Policy, the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Common Good.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected by the Site from all users. By using the Site, you are consenting to our collection and use of your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Information Gathering

1. Browsing Information and Cookies

When you access the Site, our servers automatically record information that your browser provides. This may include, among other things, your Internet Protocol address, web request, browser type, the date and time of your request, web pages visited, files accessed, and one or more cookies that uniquely identify your browser (see below).

The Site will attempt to store a small piece of data known as a “cookie” on your computer. For example, when you visit a page within the Site, a cookie will be placed on your computer (if your computer accepts cookies) or will be read if you have visited the Site previously. We may use cookies to establish continuity between related requests, to personalize the Site to your preferences, to authenticate your log-in, and to analyze web traffic. Cookies do not themselves contain any personal information. The Site logs this session identifier along with other information about each request. You may choose to block cookies with your browser, but if you do, you may not be able to take advantage of some of the Site’s features.

2. User Communications

When you send email or other communications to us, we may retain the communications in order to process your inquiries, respond to your requests, and improve our services.

Use of Information

We use the information collected for the following purposes, in addition to those described above: tailoring the Site to user needs and improving our service; generating data and reports about usage of the Site and its content; supporting the functioning and security of the Site and our network and systems; protecting our rights, property, or safety or those of others; and research. At no time do we disclose site usage by individual visitors, except as may be required by law.

In addition, visitor activity is tracked using Google Analytics. Google Analytics is subject to the privacy policy of Google, Inc., which you can find on Google’s website. These data are used to optimize our website for our visitors, and do not include personally identifiable information such as name, contact information, or credit card numbers.

Personal information is shared with third parties or made publicly available only under the following circumstances:

*Provision of services to users. User information may be shared with third-party partners to the extent necessary to provide web services to users. Any third parties who receive user information for this purpose are prohibited from using or sharing user information for any purpose other than providing services to users.

We may also provide your information to third parties in circumstances where we believe that doing so is necessary or appropriate to: satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request; investigate compliance with or enforce our Terms of Use; detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security, or technical issues; or protect the rights, property, or safety of us, our users, or others. The information referred to in this section may include personally identifiable information. In addition, we may share with third parties information about the use of the Site and its content that is aggregated or anonymized so that it does not identify any individual user.

Security

This Site has security measures in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of the private information under our control. However, we cannot guarantee that those security measures will be effective.

Contacting this Site

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, you can contact admin@commongood.org.

This website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites.

Changes to this Policy

We may change this Privacy Policy from time to time without advance notice. If we change the policy, we will post the modified policy on this page, and will note the date of modification.

Effective Date: The effective date of this policy is May 2, 2011.

Terms of Use of this Website

Please read all of these terms carefully before using this website (the “Site”). By using the Site, you accept and agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not accept these terms, do not use this Site.

1. Copyright; Others’ Rights

The Site and any video material, audio material, text, images, graphics, and other content available on the Site (collectively, the “Content”) are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. We or others own the copyright and other rights in the Site and the Content. All rights in the Site and the Content that are not expressly granted are reserved. You may use the Site and the Content only in the manner and for the purposes specified in these Terms of Use. Except as specifically permitted by these terms of use, you may not modify, transmit, reproduce, distribute, display, or otherwise make available in any form or by any means any part of the content of this website without the express written permission of Common Good. You may only make non-commercial uses of the Site and the Content. Use of Content from the Site for any purposes other than personal, non-commercial purposes is strictly prohibited. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to: (1) activities that are illegal or fraudulent; (2) use that inaccurately implies endorsement, approval, or sponsorship by Common Good (or any individual officer or employee of Common Good); (3) use that can be confused with official communications of Common Good; (4) print or electronic mass mailings (“spamming”), solicitations for commercial services, or cold-calling.

2. Copyright Complaints

We respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe your copyright has been violated on this website, please notify us by writing to operations@commongood.org

3. Rules of Conduct and User Submissions

Except by submitting User Content as explained below, in no event may you alter or modify the Site or any Content, including, without limitation, by adding any advertisement or other material or by interfering with the viewing of any Content. You agree to reproduce all copyright, trademark, and other notices on any Content you obtain from the Site. You agree to use the Site and the Content only in ways that comply with all applicable laws, as well as with these Terms of Use, and that do not infringe or violate anyone’s rights.

Users will be able to submit stories, photos, and other content on the Site (collectively, “User Content”). You are solely responsible for any User Content you post or submit to the Site, and for the consequences of posting or submitting it. By posting or submitting User Content to the Site, you grant Common Good a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, fully paid, perpetual license to use, reproduce, prepare derivative works of, distribute, display, perform, and otherwise make available your User Content in connection with the Site, including without limitation for promoting or redistributing part or all of the Site (and derivative works thereof) in any manner or media, and in connection with other Common Good materials, and to authorize others to do the foregoing. By posting or submitting User Content to the Site, you represent and warrant that you have the right to grant us the foregoing rights, and that neither your User Content nor our use of it as permitted under the foregoing license will infringe or violate anyone’s rights. You agree not to submit or post any content, or engage in any other activity in connection with the Site, that:

infringes anyone’s copyright, patent, trademark, or other proprietary rights, or rights of privacy or publicity;

violates any law or regulation;

is intentionally false or misleading;

defames, threatens, or harasses anyone;

is harmful, dangerous, abusive, or offensive;

is obscene or contains pornography;

contains or utilizes any computer virus, other malicious code, or program that may damage or interfere with the operation of any system, or may unlawfully intercept any data or personal information;

contains or consists of advertising or any form of commercial solicitation or activity; or

otherwise interferes with the functioning of the Site or other users’ use or enjoyment of the Site.

Although we will have no obligation to monitor or take action with respect to User Content, we reserve the right to edit the Site and to edit or remove any User Content that we believe violates the above standards or any other provision of these Terms of Use, and to terminate the applicable user account’s right to use the Site, in addition to any other rights or remedies available to us. We do not approve or endorse any User Content, and you agree that we will have no responsibility or liability in connection with your use of any User Content.

4. Liability and Indemnity

THIS WEBSITE AND ALL ITS CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WE DO NOT APPROVE OR ENDORSE ANY CONTENT PROVIDED BY USERS OR OTHERS. WE ARE NOT LIABLE TO USERS OR VISITORS FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SITE OR ITS CONTENT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES.

5. Eligibility

You affirm that you are either more than 18 years of age, or an emancipated minor, or possess legal parental or guardian consent, and are fully competent to use the Site and to enter into and comply with these Terms of Use. In any case, you affirm that you are at least 13 years of age, as the Site is not intended for children who are under 13 years of age. Use of the Site by anyone under 13 years of age is not authorized.

6. Governing Law; Jurisdiction

These terms of use, and any claim or dispute that arises from or relates to your use of this website or the content, will be governed by the laws of New York, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles. You agree that all such claims and disputes will be heard and resolved exclusively in courts sitting in Kings County, New York. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts over you for this purpose, and waive and agree not to assert any objection to such proceedings in such courts (including any defense or objection of lack of proper jurisdiction or venue or inconvenience of forum).

7. Changes to Terms

Please note that these terms are subject to change without notice from time to time. Any changes will be posted to this page. Your use of this Site or any of its Content after any changes have been made will constitute your agreement to the modified terms of use.

8. General

If any provision of these Terms of Use is held to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision, to the extent unenforceable, shall be struck, and shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions. Headings are for reference purposes only and in no way define or limit the scope or extent of any provision of these Terms of Use. Our failure to act with respect to a breach by you or others does not waive our right to act with respect to subsequent or similar breaches. Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Terms of Use, nothing herein shall be deemed to confer any third-party rights or benefits. These Terms of Use set forth the entire understanding and agreement between you and us with respect to the subject matter hereof.